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Otowa Waterfall, where the waters are divided into three separate streams. Visitors can use the cups provided at the base of the waterfall to drink from them. Each of the streams is believed to have a different effect, such as bringing success, love, and longevity. You should only pick one of the three streams, though, as it is considered greedy if you were to drink from all of them. On the picture… Read More
A lot of rules regarding indoor manners in Japan are related to footwear. A clear line is traditionally drawn between inside and outside, and outdoor shoes and indoor slippers are handled accordingly. These rules not only apply to most Japanese homes, but also to many traditional ryokan, some restaurants and the indoor sections of many temples, castles and other historic buildings.
Sea, sun, and sand… For many these represent summer. Not so in Japan. Instead, it’s wind chimes, dragonflies, goldfish, and watermelon that evoke summer for the Japanese. It’s well known that the Japanese appreciate the different seasons, and clothing, interior decoration, various accessories, and more each have their seasonal patterns.
Japan’s love of line-forming begins with the lessons kids learn as early as kindergarten: self-discipline, cooperation, and respect. For example, it’s not uncommon for Japanese nursery and elementary schools to host group performances of more than 100 students. While one age group plays an instrument, another sits quietly and listens. The kids that are playing learn to keep time with the other students. The ones listening practice patience and restraint. Now fast-forward to… Read More
錦鯉 – Nishikigoi, often called Koi fish or Japanese carp, are fish with colors and patches raised and kept for appreciation. The carp originates from China and was brought to Japan by means of gifts. Its first Japanese mention dates back to 71AD (of Koi held by the presumed legendary Emperor Keikō). It took until the 19th century before Koi mutated and got colored, however, a prerequisite for contemporary Nishikigoi appreciation (originally… Read More
Officially the biggest Torii gate in Japan at more than 33 metres tall. Oyunohara Torii is located on the former site of Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine. To visit: take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station. Or Shinagawa Station to Nagoya, before switching to the JR Kisei Main line to Shingu Station.
Japanese ideas of space Western designers and architects have long found the Japanese concept of space fascinating. But there’s also a lot the rest of us can learn about different cultures. And how they approach space as both a concept and a practice. Mitsuru Kodama, a professor at Nihon University, argues that Japanese concepts of space derive from two foundational traditions. Shinto (an indigenous spiritual tradition in Japan) and Buddhism (imported from… Read More